Reviewing the New Obox Site
Posted on 18 February, 2009 at 17:48 PM
There are already 10 Comments
About the Show
In this screencast, David outlines the design and marketing decisions which went into new New Obox Design website.
We were quite against the site being a regular portfolio site, we wanted it to work in the same way that a application or theme site would work; the aim for it to be more interactive for our users.
Related Shows
- (11) Episode 189 - Using Inspiration Effectively
- (21) Episode 187 - Design with the Lights On
- (16) Episode 186 - Apples and Oranges
- (15) Episode 185 - Design like a Dictator
- (25) Episode 184 - Murdoch vs. Google
User Comments
Sheamus 18 Feb, 2009 19:10:56 PM
New Obox site = Epic win. The designer's struggle for a new website theme carries a bitter nostalgia along with it. I'm gonna have to go swing and reflect on my life thus far to chase it away.
David Perel 18 Feb, 2009 19:43:50 PM
@Roy - I have been contemplating adding some site details over the gallery. There are quite a few niggly bits, which peeps have brought up, which need changing. This is on the list! Thanks for the feedback!
@Sheamus - Thank you!
oli 18 Feb, 2009 20:54:52 PM
readable, very fast loading, but why such heavy or black font for title, and the pink magenta on blue :) look fun but not so elegant.
I love the whole bunch of ideas but the vertical line comment link is too unsusual, and do not invite so much the interaction you really wish, cause of it's bold font.
So fonts and colours fonts should improve the overall design, from my point of view.
Why may too tough critics? cause as you are designer serving great brands and clients, I would love to see more about the design stuff you got than your own website by its design. in fact the discretion and the elegance of the packaging, will invite prospects and customers, to become one of your best references, instead of being hidden in an impactful and quite agressive design from the designers whom would like to work for my brand, or even design it.
This is still my personal opinion, but the overall design let me think, that you didn't spend enough time on simple piece of paper, to draw simple sketches, and jumping straight to the exec and final design issues.
Just analyse deeply the purpose of communication of Obox design, and I think you might may be agree with me that Obox design should come up with an overall design with design identity strong but at the services of identities (your clients and prospects). for ex, "from the couch" have a stricking identity with the well fit elegance. I would love to find back this simple touch without load and bold details that scream over the Obox Design website.
Hope You will appreciate my comments even though you spend already a lot of time and energy on your "visit cards". Please Consider my comments as a simple personal insight and do not blame me so much.
Looking forward to discover the theme you are working on, and hopefully, i didn't hurt any designers' ego. Thank you for your attention. Great future.
Oli 18 Feb, 2009 20:57:08 PM
mistakes: "fonts and colour choices" sorry but o preview before to send so i might have done some couple of typing and spelling errors.
Renee 18 Feb, 2009 22:10:50 PM
I didn't see your previous website, but the current obox design is great. I love the colors; they are so fun and vibrant. It was interesting to hear the background story of your website. It was nice to hear it took you a couple months to get things in orderI think too many designers feel like they need do re-design their website NOW. It's often easy to design for others but hard to design for yourself.
Chris Spooner 19 Feb, 2009 16:07:32 PM
Nice insight into the thoughts behind the design. I'm a fan of the new layout. Like many have said already excellent idea behind the About Us video profiles.
David Perel 19 Feb, 2009 17:57:49 PM
@Oli - Thanks for the detailed feedback Oli, please let me respond:
The dark blue, pink and white have been the Obox colours for 4 years now. The pink has always had the same code (#FF3366) and although we have played around with some different blues in the past, they have always been dark hues. If you look at From the Couch and We Are not Freelancers, you will notice that we carry the Obox colour scheme through all the sites.
Every element that you see on the new Obox site had extensive thought and planning. We didn't draw the site on paper (I never do) but once we create a design we ask many people for feedback, we stand close up to the screen, far from the screen, change colours, angles, layouts. We go very far to make sure that we are happy. So I would say that we planned this one extensively and were very aware of the loud elements such as bold text and bright colours.
With regards to our client work shining brighter than our brand: All previous Obox sites were structured like this but with the new one we wanted to shift the focus to all the elements in our company, including Themes, Services, Blogging. We still feel that there is still a huge presence of client work presented on the site and infact it is much more in depth than before. The response to this site from potential clients is much better than if we just had a 'normal' portfolio site. This HAD to be different and I promise I didn't sleep until it was :P
Thanks again for your feedback Oli, I hope you come back to watch more episodes in the future!
@Chris - DUDE! I am honoured to have you comment on our blog. Thank you for the kind compliments, it means a lot coming from you bro.
Max Stanworth 20 Feb, 2009 19:52:07 PM
Brilliant design, love how you integrated from the couch, the overall site feels really solid and well put together.
Just waiting for the wordpress themes to be released now :D, Id make that holding page a wallpaper too like you said, it looks really cool!
David Perel 22 Feb, 2009 22:55:50 PM
@Max - Thanks so much Max, it means a lot coming from you mate. We appreciate it :) You can see a preview of our theme here: tinyurl.com/cycpkm
2012 © Obox Design
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Roy Vergara 18 Feb, 2009 19:02:00 PM
Job well done with the redesign guys. Very cool idea having videos on the about page instead of just pictures. Really allows users to connect on a whole different level. The only thing I would nitpick about is on the homepage where it has the slider showing recent customer work. As I'm scrolling through, and see a project I'd like to get more information about, I'm not able to view the project larger or view a project link. Currently the only way to gather and information about your work is by clicking on the Work tab in the nav. Maybe having the project title below linking to the page or perhaps a view all portfolio link would suffice? Otherwise great job and I can't wait to see your themes!